Summary of newspapers of the previous day – 5. 5. 2009

Farmers don´t have to be afraid of system of conditionality checks

This year for the first time at all the Czech Republic introduces a system of conditionality checks, known also as cross compliance. New rules were discussed for a long time and a part of agricultural public awaits it with fears. According to the minister Petr Gandalovič farmers do not have to be afraid of the conditionality checks. The conditionality checks system is a complex of requirements and standards which farmers have to fulfill so that supports from European funds could be provided to them to full extent.

EC has not approved programs for farmers and food-producers support yet

The European Commission has not approved starting of programs of the Subsidiary Rural and Guarantee Forestry Fund (PGRLF) to help farmers and food-producers afflicted with an economic crisis yet. A secretary of PGRLF director Vladimír Suchý said it to ČTK today. According to the last expression of the fund director Martin Karban, four programs should be passed till April end. By means of them farmers and processors will be able to spend money to support operation credits in total height of 2,6 billion crowns. According to our information Brussels has not gave any attitude yet. The programs will be opened immediately after reception of an official expression of the European Commission.

Presidency conference to food research will support food safety not only in EU

An international conference to food research emphasized not only a role of the newest technologies and scientific procedures within food safety security but also a responsibility of consumers and a role of risks communications, informedness, and education of consumers in this area. The conference was organized under the auspices of the presidency, together by the Ministry of Agriculture of the CR, the Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, and the European Food Safety Authority. Participants of the conference agreed on that a food legislative has to react systematically to new scientific pieces of knowledge on undesirable substances in foods and materials getting in touch with foods.

Russia enlarged ban of pig meat import to Canada and Spain

Yesterday, Russia enlarged a ban of raw pig meat import to some Canadian provinces and Spain, and a ban of import of all meant to South Carolina. The country reacts in this way to fears from so called pig flu, marked also as A (H1N1). Moreover, Russia warned that it could tighten up further the restriction of pig meat import if it would get a proof that the disease can be transmitted from pigs to people. Already last week, Russia reduced meat import from Mexico, Central America, Caribbean countries and some parts of the United States. However, yesterday it cancelled a ban of raw pig meat from six states of American Union, the agency Reuters wrote.